Top 10 Things to Do in Kelantan, Malaysia

Positioned on the north-eastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, Kelantan houses some of the oldest settlement and other archaeological discoveries in Malaysia. The city’s population is around 95% Muslim which makes it one of the most conservative places in Malaysia.

Besides their state of the art museums and mosques, Kelantan’s natural setting and lush green forests also offer fun and exciting attractions to visitors who decides to explore the state. Let us take a look at our top 10 list of interesting things to do in this Islamic run state of Kelantan, also known for its honorific term Darul Naim which means ‘The Blissful Abode.’

Jungle Trekking At Taman Negara (Kuala Koh)

Taman Negara (Kuala Koh)

Taman Negara Canopy Bridge

If you wish to enjoy nature to its fullest while you are in the beautiful country of Malaysia, one of the best places to visit is the Taman Negara National Park. This 130 million years old tropical rainforest is among the oldest in the world that encompasses the states of Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu. This famous ecotourism destination of Malaysia is a home to world’s largest flowers, tigers, birds, and other types of wildlife.

Kelantan’s main entrance to Taman Negara is Kuala Koh. This undisturbed tropical rainforest is much more peaceful than the other entrances to Taman Negara which is perfect for an exciting trekking experience.

Bamboo Rafting

Besides jungle trekking, other activities you can enjoy in Kuala Koh is bamboo rafting. If you are a beginner, bamboo rafting in Kuala Koh river is pretty challenging, but none the less exciting. Since the place is more secluded than the other entries to Taman Negara, you will have more chances of spotting wild animals in Kuala Koh.

Besides bamboo rafting, you can also join other types of activities including fishing, tubing, and canopy walking.

There are no public transportations routed in Kuala Koh. To get to the area, you have to rent a vehicle to bring you there.

Visit the Seven-tier Stong Waterfall

The seven-tiered Stong Waterfalls known as Jelawang Waterfall located in Gunung Stong State Park is known to be one of the tallest in South East Asia. This 990 feet waterfall is also one of the reasons why many travelers are visiting Kelantan each year. You need to take more than two hours of trekking if you want to reach the top of this amazing waterfall. While on your way, you will be able to spot various wild animals and plants.

Make sure to wear reliable footwears as there are areas of steep slopes that you will need to climb.

Caving At Gua Ikan

Most visitors who visit Jelawang Waterfall also take their time to experience caving at Gua Ikan. About seven kilometers south of the small city of Dabong in Kelantan near Gunung Stong is the location of Gua Ikan. This network of caves is considered as one of the most captivating caves for nature lovers. Since the caves are not easy to access, it is recommended to hire tour guides to help you get your way inside.

While inside this vast cave chamber, be truly amazed at the wonder of nature as you will be able to spot wonderfully sculpted stalactites and stalagmites.

Trip To Kelantan’s Fishing Village

Dubbed as the soul of Malaysia’s East Coast, your adventure in Kelantan will not be complete if you don’t visit the state’s famous fishing village. Few kilometers away from the state’s capital Kota Bharu, the Sabak Beach and Kuala Besar are two of the most popular fishing villages that are visited by travelers. The picturesque sight of the boats spotted on the horizon as they are making their way to the shore is not what you can see every day especially if you are living in large cities far from the coast.

It is best to visit these fishing villages no later that 2:30 PM while fishers are returning to sell their catch on the beach.

Fireflies Garden Tour

Located on the edge of Kota Bharu town, Min House Camp is also among the most-visited tourist destinations in the state of Kelantan. Their main attraction is their fireflies garden tour. It is best to visit the place in the evening where you will be taken on a boat to see spectacular fireflies clustered together, filling the trees and bushes like light bulbs along the river.

It is such an amazing experience you should not miss while exploring Kelantan.

Min House Camp also offers other attractions which include an organic farm, bee farm, and water sports facilities.

Gua Musang Water Rafting

If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity in Kelantan, make sure to join water rafting at Nenggiri River. Located 30 kilometers away from Gua Musang Town, this attraction is mostly visited by water sports enthusiasts who are looking for fun and exciting activities. The river has more than 40 rapids suitable for eco-tourism based activities such as rafting.

Kayaking

Besides water rafting, kayaking is also one of the activities that tourists enjoy in Nenggiri River. It is considered as heaven for local and foreign kayak enthusiasts. For this reason, an annual kayak competition called ‘Nenggiri Challenge’ is organized and participated by different countries including Thailand, Singapore, and Switzerland.

Shop For Souvenirs at Handicraft Village & Craft Museum

Located in Kota Bahru cultural zone, this museum is among the most-visited places to tourists who are looking for souvenirs to bring back home. The museum houses a variety of Kelantanese handicrafts such as silverware, matting, and traditional embroidery. You can also witness how skilled artists do batik drawing and traditional embroidery.

Feast on Kelantanese Dishes at Nasi Ulam Restaurant

Nasi Ulam

One way to make your travel in Kelantan memorable is to have a taste of their local delicacies. In the state’s capital Kota Bharu, one of the most-visited restaurants by locals and tourists is the Handicraft Nasi Ulam Restaurant, near the Handicraft Village. They serve a variety of traditional food including budu, one of the popular fermented seafood products in Kelantan. The lists on their menu also include a variety of salads, grilled fish, and more.

Locals recognize this famous place as the model restaurant of Kelantan.

There are numerous things and places to discover while staying in Kelantan. While enjoying the things the state has to offer, make sure to respect their local culture. Non-Muslim women don’t necessarily have to wear a headscarf, but wearing skimpy shorts and tops is considered inappropriate.

As a traveler and a writer, Jonalyn is always fascinated how every city and culture is unique on its own. She loves meeting new people, listening to different stories, and learning new cultures. Every travel adventure, either planned or unplanned, for her is an opportunity to discover new things. She wants to share positivity in every story she tells and make everyone believe that the earth is such a beautiful place to live. Besides traveling and writing, she spends most of her time reaching out to people and sharing them how to find genuine happiness in life.